Satisfactory performance by Sals students in A-Level exams |05 February 2013

A total of 129 students sat for the examinations in 16 different A-Level subjects. These are English language, literature in English, French, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, accounting, business studies, economics, history, geography, computing, sociology and art and design.

Sals’ acting principal Hervey Young said the pass rate has gone up from 87% in 2011to 93% last year. He added that two students scored three ‘A’s and one even scored four ‘A’s.

Forty-three students have qualified for scholarships to pursue studies at university level.

Mr Young said that five ‘A’ grades were achieved in mathematics taken by 41 students. Sociology was taken by 30 students, physics by 29 and biology by 23.

Overall, there were 370 subject entries, with the highest number – 44 – recorded in business studies and the lowest – 7 – in art and design.

Mr Young said the most significant improvement in pass rate was recorded in biology by 34% and chemistry by 18%.

He said the number of failures for all subjects have decreased, but did not say by how much. Generally, students have performed rather poorly in English Language with only 22% of the nine who sat the exam achieving grade ‘C’ or higher.

Mr Young explained that English Language is a new subject which has just been offered. It is on an optional basis for students who wish to improve their English. So, students normally take English Language along with three other A-Level subjects.

Other poor performances were registered in accounting and computing where only 21% and 28% of the students achieved grade ‘C’ or higher.

Mr Young also said the number of students sitting for A-Levels in 2013 is set to increase, with 189 now in their second year at Sals.

The Ministry of Education has congratulated the students for their hard work and called on the present cohort to continue putting extra effort so that results will keep on improving. It has also thanked all teachers who have worked hard to help the students, as well as parents for their support.